Julius Caesar is an excellent choice of reading material for senior high school
students. The seeming simplicity of its plot and the directness of its prose
make it accessible to every reading level while belying a complexity that is
revealed through exploration of the play's timeless themes and social issues.
One of the most important of these is the question of what qualities make up
a good leader. The play explores this question at length in its detailed examination
of Caesar and Brutus as leaders. Students' awareness of the constant scrutiny
to which today's leaders are subjected makes the play's examination of leadership
timely. Students are quite opinionated about who is and is not a good leader.
By comparing and contrasting the leadership qualities held by Caesar and Brutus,
as well as many of the other characters, students become more aware of the careful
thought that is necessary to choose a good leader.

Nothing or no one has more influence on adolescents than their friends. The
issue of friendship and the importance people place on it is another issue explored
in the play. Students will have strong opinions about the differing philosophies
of friendship followed by Brutus and Antony. Lively discussions will ensue over
the question of who is the better friend.

Another important societal issue touched upon in the play is suicide. The attitudes
of the various characters concerning suicide provide a starting point for students'
discussions on the topic. By discussing the play's treatment of suicide, students
can explore their own thoughts and feelings about this sensitive subject in
a nonthreatening forum.

This teacher's guide is organized in the following manner: a brief overview
followed by teaching ideas to be used before, during, and after the reading
of the play. These ideas are meant to help students understand the play (its
characters, use of language, and central themes) as well as explore issues confronted
in the play that have importance in the students' lives.

OVERVIEWAct l, scene i:
(A street in Rome) Because Caesar has returned from his victory over Pompey's
sons, the working people of Rome have a day off to celebrate. Flavius and Marullus,
two Roman officers, are angered by the celebration because they see Caesar as
a threat to Rome's Republican rule. They disperse the crowd and remove banners
and signs honoring Caesar.

Scene ii: With a full entourage, Caesar marches through the streets
of Rome. He has arrived just before the races that are a part of the celebration
of the Feast of Lupercal. From out of the crowd, a soothsayer warns Caesar to
"Beware the ides of March." Caesar dismisses the man as a dreamer
and continues with his attendants.

Lagging behind, two Roman senators begin discussing their fears that Caesar
will gain even greater power and take away the powers of their class of Roman
aristocracy. Cassius, long a political enemy of Caesar, begins to flatter Brutus,
a friend of Caesar. Cassius's flattery is designed to plumb Brutus's feelings
about Caesar's growing power and to determine if Brutus is willing to join the
conspiracy to kill Caesar.

Caesar returns from the races and sees Cassius and Brutus talking. He tells
Antony that he doesn't trust Cassius because he has a "lean and hungry
look."

Casca tells Cassius and Brutus that the crowds offered Caesar a crown three
times and that Caesar refused it each time. This information adds to the misgivings
that the men already have about Caesar. Brutus admits that he is dissatisfied
and agrees to talk to Cassius later about his feelings.

Scene iii: (A street in Rome) During a violent, stormy night, Cassius
recruits Casca to the conspiracy despite portents the storm seems to hold. In
a further attempt to recruit Brutus, Cassius instructs Cinna, a fellow conspirator,
to place an anonymous note in Brutus's chair, throw one through Brutus's window,
and fix yet another note to the statue of Brutus's father.

Act II scene i: (Brutus's garden) Alone in his garden, Brutus decides
that Caesar must be assassinated because of what he might become (a tyrant).
The conspirators join Brutus and decide they will kill Caesar the next day at
the Capitol. Brutus convinces them not to kill Antony because that would make
them seem too murderous. Portia, Brutus's wife, enters after the conspirators
leave and pleads with Brutus to tell her what is troubling him. Although he
fears that she will not be able to bear the news, Portia proves her strength
by wounding herself. After that act of courage, he tells her.

Scene ii: (Caesar's house) Calphurnia, Caesar's wife, sees evil omens
in the night's storm and asks Caesar not to go to the Capitol. He agrees until
Decius, one of the conspirators, plays on his pride with a flattering interpretation
of Calphurnia's dream and convinces him to go.

Scene iii: (A street near the Capitol) Artemidorus reads a paper he
plans to give Caesar warning him about the conspiracy.

Scene iv: (Another part of the street) A very nervous Portia sends her
servant boy Lucius to the Capitol to gain news about Brutus. She also questions
a soothsayer for news of Caesar's whereabouts.

Act III, scene i: (Rome – before the Capitol) Caesar ignores the warnings
of Calphurnia and two others and goes to the Capitol. There he gives an arrogant
speech and is murdered by the conspirators.

Antony approaches the conspirators, says he understands and forgives them,
and asks to give Caesar's eulogy. Brutus agrees, against the wishes of the more
realistic Cassius. When left alone with Caesar's body, Antony vows to seek revenge
against the conspirators.

Scene ii: (The Forum) Brutus gives a logical, unemotional speech winning
the crowd over to the suggestion of making Brutus the new Caesar. Antony halts
the crowd's support for the conspirators with a masterful speech that plays
on the crowd's emotions. Antony learns that Octavius and Lepidus are staying
at Caesar's house, and that Brutus and Cassius have left the city because of
the people's reaction to Antony's speech. He plans to meet with Octavius and
Lepidus to suggest they join forces.

Scene iii: (A street in Rome) The enraged crowd attacks the poet Cinna
and rips him apart because they think he is one of the conspirators.

Act IV, scene i: (A house in Rome) The triumvirate of Antony, Octavius,
and Lepidus plan to pursue and destroy Brutus and Cassius. In their preparations,
they coldly compile a death list of anyone who might stand in their way.

Scene ii: (A camp near Sardis) Brutus waits for Cassius's arrival by
speculating that their relationship has deteriorated.

Scene iii: (A camp near Sardis) Brutus and Cassius argue violently over
Cassius allowing his officers to accept bribes. The quarrel ends when Cassius
learns that Brutus's anger is really the result of the news that Portia is dead.
That night Brutus is visited by the ghost of Caesar who tells Brutus he will
meet him at Philippi.

Act V, scene i: (The Plains of Philippi) The two armies meet and the
generals argue over who is at fault. When nothing is resolved, they return to
their armies and prepare for battle. Brutus and Cassius vow to win or not be
taken alive.

Scene ii: (The field of battle) Brutus sends a messenger to Cassius
instructing him to attack Octavius.

Scene iii: (The field of battle) Retreating from the onslaught of Octavius's
troops, Cassius sends his trusted friend Titinius to see if the oncoming troops
are friends or foes. Seeing Titinius suddenly surrounded by the troops, Cassius
mistakenly believes they are enemies. Having lost all hope for victory, he takes
his own life. Brutus mourns Cassius's death.

Scene iv: (The field of battle) Lucilius, masquerading as Brutus, is
captured by Antony's troops. Antony honors him for protecting Brutus.

Scene v: (The field of battle) When he sees that the battle is lost,
Brutus runs upon his own sword rather than being captured. Antony gives a moving
eulogy over his body proclaiming him "the noblest Roman of them all."
In a gesture of good will, Octavius agrees to pardon all Brutus's men and take
them into his service. The civil war ends with an omen of peace for the future.

The Elizabethan Era

1. After reading the Signet Classic Introduction, answer the following question:
Why were the issues treated in Julius Caesar especially timely in Elizabethan
England? (pages xxii-xxiii)

2. Use the issues mentioned on pages xxii-xxiii as a starting point for short
research projects.

Shakespeare and His Theater

If students are not familiar with Shakespeare's life and career or with the
structure of the Shakespearean stage, it would be helpful to read and discuss
"Shakespeare: Prefatory Remarks" in the Signet Classic edition of
Julius Caesar before reading the play.

The Roman Form of Government

For a short research project, have students find out how the Roman Senate was
set up and how it compares to our form of government. In the course of their
research, students should find the meanings and functions of the following terms:
Senator, Caesar, Praetor, and Consul.

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